Summary, Scope, and Responsibilities
SPARQ is a program of the Center for Belonging and Community (SCBC).
The Center for Belonging and Community (SCBC) is committed to dismantling systems of oppression by actively centering and celebrating the voices and experiences of historically marginalized student identities. We foster belonging by creating spaces that encourage agency, awareness, and self-advocacy. We collaborate with students to explore their identities, develop community, and build connections through programs grounded in intersectionality, equity, and justice.
The intention of SPARQ is to create and maintain an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+, exploring and allied students at Bates. SPARQ Peer Mentors are students who are invested in this work and the SCBC’s mission and aim to foster a sense of community and belonging amongst students through events, discussions and mentorship opportunities.
Note: For the purpose of this position, LGBTQ+ is an acronym that includes, but is not limited to: lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans (including transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, etc.), queer, intersex, asexual, and pansexual. Interested student DO NOT have to be LGBTQ+ but demonstrate commitment to creating supportive environments for LGBTQ+ students.
Bates Leads Framework
The Student Center for Belonging and Community (SCBC) embeds the Bates Leads Framework into its student leadership and employment positions. SPARQ Peer Mentors are leaders who take responsibility for solving a problem or achieving a goal and are expected to develop and practice leadership skills with the objective to create a sense of belonging, build community, educate themselves and others, and to forge positive change in their own lives and the lives of others.
The Bates Leads Framework is based on the Social Change Model of leadership and includes the “7 Cs” or capacities that ultimately lead to an 8th C: Change.
Consciousness of Self & Impact
Awareness of one’s beliefs, values, attitudes, and emotions; recognition that these are shaped by cultural context and other external forces. Self-awareness, including one’s inherited and positional power and privilege. Awareness of one’s impact on individuals and community, recognizing the impact of each action and inaction. Peer Mentors are most successful when they develop empathy and are able to consider the impact of their words and actions on others. As a Peer Mentor, being self-reflective, self-aware and intentional, knowing how to care for yourself and your community, creating space and access, asking for what others need, and asking for help for yourself will allow you to better support others.
Congruence
Alignment of values, beliefs, attitudes, and emotions with actions in the world. Peer Mentors act with honesty and transparency while integrating their values into behavior. Peer Mentors support Mentees and other students to better understand personal values and align those with behavior.
Commitment
The passion, energy, creativity, and follow-through one brings to ideas, pursuits, and collective goals. Peer Mentors develop events to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Peer Mentors strive to engage, participate, follow through, persist, and be accountable, while also establishing and maintaining interpersonal boundaries, and saying “no” when necessary.
Collaboration
Working reciprocally with others. Working across differences to achieve a shared goal. Bringing multiple perspectives, diverse experiences, and individual creativity to bear on a pursuit. Peer Mentors work within the SPARQ Team and with Mentee’s to achieve shared goals. Peer Mentors listen actively and deeply, consider how power and privilege are at work and strive for equity, inclusion, and access. Peer Mentors have an awareness of and maintain good interpersonal boundaries.
Common Purpose
Cultivating a shared goal, direction, and sense of responsibility. Peer Mentors listen, learn, and act towards shared goals. Peer Mentors continually consider what is held in common. Peer Mentors strive to build consensus, share work equitable, be inclusive, and assure access. Peer Mentors work in collaboration with Mentees and other students to identify shared goals and direction for their relationship.
Controversy
Acknowledging conflict, controversy, and dissent as opportunities for new insight, or new direction or deeper relationships. Disagreeing without dehumanizing others, Peer Mentors articulate their truth, welcome different points of view, learn from differences while also protecting vulnerable populations. Peer Mentors acknowledge the fundamental humanity and dignity of those whom they disagree with.
Civic Agency
Embracing one’s capacity and responsibility to work with others to advance communal goals. Actively supporting people’s full participation in the decisions, systems, and processes that impact their lives and communities. Recognizing the impact of one’s choices on others. Peer Mentors pay careful attention to the perspectives and feelings of others and confront injustice, inequity, lack of access, and racism. Peer Mentors leverage their own privilege to effect positive change through programming and advocacy, while being sure to elevate the most marginalized voices in the community. |
The Basics
Department:Office of Intercultural Education
Supervisor:
Anthony Del Real
Office Location:
Chase Hall, Ste 140, Room 145
Email:
adelreal@bates.edu
Hours:
5-8
Workers:
6
Qualifications, Requirements, and Responsibilities
Responsibilities
Employment Requirements
The following items are basic requirements needed to be able to work as a SPARQ Peer Mentor at Bates:
Ability to be Bates Work Authorized
Ability to work 5 hours per week
Enrolled as a rising Sophomore, Junior or Senior at Bates
Comfort sharing and discussing their LGBTQ+ identity with others across campus
Invested in equity, access, and anti-racism work as well as demonstrated ability to cultivate a welcoming and supportive environment for students across multiple identities
Demonstrated commitment to teamwork and collaboration
Reliability, maturity, strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Strong interpersonal skills with excellent written, verbal and listening skills and the ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships with students, staff, faculty and community partners.
Requirements
Position Specific Responsibilities
Host weekly drop-in sessions in the designated Drop-in space (minimum of 1-hour per week)
Provide one-to-one mentoring to LGBTQ+ and questioning students around a variety of topics including but not limited to: sexual and romantic orientation, gender identity and expression, coming out, being out in public, being out and studying abroad, academic and social concerns
Help to plan, design and participate in events and outreach opportunities related to LGBTQ+ identities and experiences
Host (1) educational and (1) social program throughout the academic year (One (1) each semester)
Recognize and appropriately maintain anonymity and confidentiality and refer others to appropriate on-campus resources
Promote and attend SPARQ and SCBC LGBTQ+ events throughout the academic year
Work collaboratively with other SPARQ Peer Mentors, SCBC professional staff, other SCBC student staff, as well as other campus constituencies
Serve as a role model and representative of SPARQ within the SCBC and across campus
Attend weekly one-to-one/check-ins with supervisor (minimum of 30 minutes per week)
Attend scheduled weekly SPARQ team meetings
Attend and complete mandatory Bates Leads Student Leader trainings and ongoing training/personal development throughout the academic year
Reporting
SPARQ Peer Mentors report directly to the Assistant Director for LGBTQ+ Programs.
Working Conditions
Peer Mentors will work primarily in Chase Hall, Student Center for Belonging and Community (SCBC) but may be expected to provide or attend events at other locations across campus and occasionally off campus.